Monsters: Religion and Individual Embarks

“Monsters” by Anna Quindlen conveys through the extended metaphor, the simplistic nature of life; beginning with the intricate imagination during childhood which transcends into an individual coming to terms with reality as adulthood is embarked upon. The short story exemplifies the innocence of children who comprise of obsolete and unripe knowledge, demanding answers from their parents to fill the gaps in their thoughts and outlook. However the author portrays the dramatic imagination of a child accentuating the naivety of young, a symbol of childhood, which is further developed on processes of self-realization. The author entails this ideology by illustrating to the audience how she denies the fact that there are no ‘monsters under her child’s bed’, and continues to explore through the text the different metaphorical representations of “monsters” in our lives, which vary from major aspects such as creditors chasing an individual for money, or even something as petty as the failure of teenage love. The over-arching notion is that some things need to be learnt on ones’ independence as the individual embarks on processes of self-realization, shaping their beliefs and attitudes.

Writing Prompt: Write an essay of 500-700 words in which you describe something you had to learn on your own, because it couldn’t or shouldn’t have been taught to you by someone else. Explain why the situation had to occur that way and its significance in defining something about yourself.

Though one can say that your personal and societal context can influence the person you become, there is always a phase in life, in which an individual embarks on processes of inner progression, enabling one to understand the true being they have become despite their surroundings. In this stance, religion in my personal context was a major component in life, as my parents had enforced it upon me at a young age, expecting me to adhere to the religion of their choice, Jainism....

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

...Elements of Religion
James Morales
REL-133
April 17, 2013
Joseph Becker
Elements of ReligionReligion is a way of life for much of mankind, and though all religions are not the same, do all religions do the same thing? Can religion be considered as a way to unite mankind, or viewed as a way to segregate them. Lines are drawn by religions even though many look to religion as a way of life. To join again is the linguistic meaning of the word religion. To search or find the divine or sacred is what drives mankind to follow religion in all its shapes and forms. From Christianity to Buddhism, to indigenous religions such as the Native Americans, or Igbo tribes of Africa, while studying religion what components will be deemed critical to the composition of a religion, and what issues will be faced while studying what a religion does, and how. What are some of the ways a religion will honor the sacred, to include different rights of passage in a religion. (Malloy, 2010)
The basic concepts of religion seem to bind most religions together. There are eight all together, the belief system, community, central myths, ritual, ethics, characteristic emotional experiences, material expressions, and sacredness. When humans are raised...

...sequence of events that are dated in a span of a few years apart. Chloe’s people sought out Paul to let him know the problems in Corinth. The messages from Chloe’s people prompted Paul to write the letters and ask for unity between them.
4. What is the “New Perspective on Paul?” What is the “old” perspective on Paul (that emerged from the Reformation)? How does each perspective read or interpret Paul’s letter to the Romans? What impact does the New Perspective on Paul have on Christian theology?
The New Perspective on Paul is an untraditional way of interpretation of the Apostle New Testament teaching on justication, which lifts out the paradigm of it. The Old Perspective on Paul was concerned about God’s law, sin, and individual salvation and taught the reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone. The key to unlocking Paul’s original intent was the impact on the Christian theology.
5. First Thessalonians 4:13–18 is the only biblical reference to what many have called the “rapture.” What do you think of when you hear the term “the rapture”? After reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, how does Paul describe the believers being united with Christ (“in the air”)? Does Paul’s description fit the general sense of what “rapture” has come to mean today? What is Paul’s reason for writing this passage (i.e., how does this passage function in the broader context of 1 Thessalonians)? How might the passage in 1 Thessalonians be used to...

...﻿“Religions have developed systems of beliefs to respond to the big questions in life.”
The Protestant Christian Tradition has a set of rituals and beliefs that set the foundation for their faith. The acceptance in a triune God, that is; God as three persons that are collectively one, God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, is a fundamental part in the Protestant Christian Traditions understanding of the Characteristics of God. His nature is also understood as being transcendent –existing out of space and time, and immanent – being present within space and time. God’s image is present in humanity and thus these beliefs in God and his character enable us to get a clear understanding of our purpose in life, and the responsibility we hold as result of our personal relationship with God.
In the Protestant Christian Tradition, God is understood as having a transcendent aspect within his nature, that is; God is wholly other in the sense that he is unlike his creation and stands above and beyond the fallen created order as one who is perfectly holy. God the creator, is portrayed as being above and beyond his creation “ For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). God’s transcendence separates him from his creation in the sense of separating himself from the sin that is present in the...

...﻿Assess the functionalist view that religion benefits both society as a whole and its individuals (33 marks)
For functionalists, society is a system of interrelated parts known as institutions, such as religion, the family and the economy. Each institution performs certain functions- each contributes to maintaining the social system by meeting a need. Society’s most basic need is the need for social order and solidarity so that its members can cooperate. For functionalists, what makes order possible is the existence of the value consensus. Without this, individuals would pursue their own selfish desires and society would disintegrate. For functionalists, religion is a mechanism used to create social order and maintain the value consensus thus making society run smoothly.
For functionalists such as Emile Durkheim, religious institutions play a central part in creating and maintaining value consensus, order and social solidarity. For Durkheim the key feature of religion was not a belief in gods, spirits or the supernatural. But a distinction between the sacred and the profane found in all religions. The sacred are things set apart and forbidden that inspire feelings of awe, fear and wonder, and are surrounded by taboos and prohibitions, Durkheim suggests the fact that sacred things evoke such powerful feelings in believers is because they represent something powerful, in his...

...Monstrous Appearance
Many people perceive monsters as anything grotesque or not looking like the norm. In the book On Monsters, written by Asma, he mentions an array of monsters. He states, “One aspect of the monster concept seems to be the breakdown of intelligibility. An action or a person or a thing is monstrous when it can’t be processed by our rationality, and also when we cannot readily relate to the emotional range involved” (Asma 10). Because our perception is blinded by appearance, we fail to see the truth behind a monster –their actions. Although people define a monster by their appearance, it’s their actions that give them their identity.
For example, catastrophes are monsters because of all the devastation and destruction they cause. Asma implies, “Sometimes the monster is a display of God’s wrath” (Asma 13). The tsunami and earthquake of Japan, for example is a recent manifestation of God’s wrath. Because of this catastrophic monster, countless people lost their lives, homes, cars, and face strenuous work to clean and restore what was once there. God doesn’t just conjure up a catastrophe whenever he pleases; although sometimes people need reminder of his existence and power. These catastrophes are a reminder of just that –His existence and power. God is the creator of every living form in the world, but that doesn’t make him a...

...magazine
In response to article “Monster Parents”
8th September 2014
8th September 2014
Dear Mr. Leung,
Recently, I read your article on “Monster Parents” in the January 2013 issue of the English Channel. There are many outstanding points and some that I disagree with.
It has come to my attention that “Monster Parents” cling to their children. Most couples only have one child these days. Therefore it is obvious that they care and give lots of attention about their only child, it is totally understandable. However, they need to let go at some point. As you mentioned in your magazine, ‘While visiting the University canteen recently and seeing that half of the people there seemed like parents instead of students,’ I totally understand why parents would be overprotective of their only child also whilst at university.
As well as parents who go to University with their child, you also mentioned that parents were seen camping over night outside three Kindergartens in Tseung Kwan O. Some of the parents already started queuing up a day earlier to apply for places on Pre-nursery classes. Similarly, eager parents also filled Diocesan Boys School on primary admission. I definitely agree that these parents’...

...Monster
by
Sanyika Shakur aka Monster Kody Scott
Growing up in a world of gangs, death, and suffering Kody Scott also known as Monster Kody grew up in a life of struggle. From eleven years old Kody knew what he wanted a to be, a gangster. Nothing could stop him from becoming one of the most feared gang member of the late 1970's and early 80's except maybe his own conscience. Kody Scott goes through an evolution, from a child to Monster Kody to finally Sanyika Shakur his Muslim name. Sanyika Shakur is a true survivor, considering everything that has taken place in his life he has managed to make something of himself from nothing.
Kody Scott was born into the gang life weither he liked it or not. Born on 1963 in South Central Los Angeles Kody's life would be affected by the growing number of gangs inevitably. Kody knew he had a choice to be made, be a gang member or be a pedestrian. He viewed pedestrians as spineless nerds who were always victims of someone's ridicule or physical violence, who never responded to an affront of any type. He himself had a taste of pedestrian life in grade school were he was picked on and had his lunch money taken from him. "Early on I saw and felt both sides of the game being played where I lived. It was during my time in elementary school that I chose to never be a victim again, if I could help it"(Shakur 100). Being in a gang gave Kody a feeling of security in a city...

...﻿‘And this is the instruction-the laws and the rules-that the lord your god has commanded (me) to impart to you, to be observed in the land which you are about to cross into and occupy… hear O Israel!
The lord is our god, the lord alone, you shall love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart theses instructions with which I charge you this day’.
In Jewish law, sex is not considered shameful, sinful or obscene. Sex is not thought of as a necessary evil for the sole purpose of procreation. Although sexual desire comes from the yetzer ra (the evil impulse), it is no more evil than hunger or thirst, which also come from the yetzer ra Like hunger, thirst or other basic instincts, sexual desire must be controlled and channeled, satisfied at the proper time, place and manner. When sexual desire is satisfies between a husband and wife at the proper time, out of mutual love and desire. Sex is a mitzvah (Ex21:10) and is an act of holiness.
The requirements of marriage before sex ensures that sense commitment and responsibility. Jewish law also forbids sexual contact short of intercourse outside of the context of marriage, recognizing that such contact will inevitably led to intercourse. Jewish law says that man commits himself to three major obligations in marriage. He owes his wife food, clothing and sex. Since martial relations are a mitzvah, Jewish law also details the frequency of sex in marriage, based on the...